Del Mar History

In 1882, Theodore Loop, a New Yorker, arrived in Southern California with a grand vision: to construct a railroad that would connect Los Angeles and San Diego. The original railway tracks were laid through what is now known as Del Mar in Township 14. Loop was so enamored with the area that he enthusiastically declared it "the most attractive place on the entire coast."

During that same year, Loop crossed paths with Jacob Shell Taylor, a prosperous rancher from New Mexico. Both men were captivated by the natural beauty of the region and recognized its potential for development. In the summer of 1885, Taylor took the initiative and acquired 338.11 acres, setting the stage for creating a new resort town.

Del Mar, a name bestowed upon the town by Loop's wife, Ella, drew inspiration from a popular poem of the era titled "The Fight for Paso Del Mar." Taylor, a shrewd businessman and visionary, understood that if he could entice visitors to Del Mar, they might become loyal customers or even permanent residents. Taylor embarked on an ambitious construction effort, erecting up to 40 small houses, a two-story Victorian schoolhouse, an observation tower, a train depot, and a water system. Furthermore, in 1886, Taylor unveiled "Casa Del Mar," the area's inaugural resort. To entertain visitors, he constructed a beachside dance pavilion and a large ocean-extending swimming pool known as a Natatorium. Del Mar rapidly gained popularity as a vacation destination.

For five years, the town thrived with development. However, tragedy struck in 1889 when Jacob Taylor awoke to the scent of smoke in his hotel room. While he ensured the safety of the hotel guests, the entire structure was reduced to ashes within two hours. Taylor vowed to rebuild the hotel, but regrettably, he never completed the project. He eventually relocated to Texas, leaving behind the town he had founded, never to return.

The Great Boom: A significant development boom occurred over 15 years later. In 1900, the South Coast Land Company acquired most of the land north of 9th Street in Del Mar. Like Taylor before them, the company's directors harbored ambitious plans for the town. Their inaugural project was the opulent "Stratford Inn," a grand resort hotel overlooking the beach. The South Coast Land Company enlisted the talents of prominent Los Angeles architect John C. Austin for the construction. The Stratford Inn, built on a sprawling 10-acre parcel of land, opened its doors for business on March 9, 1909. It quickly earned a reputation as a world-class hotel and became a coveted destination for Hollywood's silent film stars. The hotel featured a saltwater swimming pool known as "The Plunge," the "Powerhouse" was erected adjacent to it to provide electricity and warm water to the hotel and the village. In the wake of the hotel's completion, a pier (later washed away in a storm) and a new train depot were also constructed, with the train depot still occupying the exact location today.

During the 1920s and 1930s, Del Mar experienced remarkable growth. Although the town's permanent population remained in the low hundreds, the summer crowds swelled to nearly 2,000. To accommodate this expanding population, the Kockritz Building was erected across from the hotel on the southwestern corner of 15th Street and Camino Del Mar. Designed to harmonize with the English Tudor architecture of the hotel, this building, known as Stratford Square, remains a cherished and iconic landmark in Del Mar.